Member Article

South Gosforth barber proves she’s a cut above

A YOUNG entrepreneur has proved she’s a cut above the rest after her barbershop became the first in Tyne & Wear to be included in the Good Barber Guide.

Robyn Wilson was just 21 when she opened Wilson Barbershop Co in South Gosforth, Newcastle with the aim of providing top class haircuts for men.

Now 18 months down the line she has two fully-qualified members of staff, has taken on an apprentice and is already looking into expanding her premises to meet growing demand.

“We are really excited to be included in the Good Barber Guide,” said Robyn, 23, of Benton.

“There are only two others in the North East. It’s been a fantastic 18 months and the shop has just gone from strength to strength.

“I trained originally in ladies’ hairdressing, but I always really enjoyed cutting men’s hair. I wanted to open a traditional old-school barbershop that could serve the community and provide somewhere where men could enjoy coming and get a great haircut.

“There is a strong barbershop scene in cities like London, Leeds and Manchester and we hope to build one here in Newcastle too.

“We don’t offer male pampering, just a bit of manly relaxation. Our clients are just regular blokes who want to have a good haircut, a beard trim and maybe a hot towel shave now and again or after payday.

“We want to make going to the barbers an enjoyable experience, not a chore and for them to leave feeling good about themselves. They can have a coffee, read the papers or chat about the latest news.”

Robyn admits to still receiving a few raised eyebrows when her clients find out the barber and the boss is a woman.

“A lot of people think at first that I must just work there or manage it for someone else,” she said. “And I have to tell them ‘yes, I am a qualified barber and I own the shop’.”

After training as a hairdresser at 17, Robyn then studied International Business and Spanish for one year at Northumbria University before realising entrepreneurship was the route for her.

“I really enjoy running my own business,” she added. “We’ve got a fantastic apprentice working with us and I’ve just taken on a second fully qualified member of staff. It’s great to get a mention in the Good Barber Guide in recognition of how far we’ve come in such a short time and the high standards we are striving to achieve.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Liz Walker .